Universal adapter for attaching a camera to associated optical devices such as telescopes, microscopes and the like

Abstract

Presented is a universal adapter ring for use in interconnecting a camera of the single lens reflex type to an optical device in a manner that maintains the alignment of the optical axes of the camera and optical device and secures the two together. Sets of coaxially arranged threads are formed on the spaced faces of the ring, and a resiliently deformable spring-steel band is coaxially arranged within the ring in association with adjustable screws that may be digitally manipulated to deform the spring-steel band into tight engagement with the cylindrical eyepiece of an optical device. A centrally apertured protective shield plate is also provided extending diametrically across the adapter ring to form an abutment against which the optical device may abut surrounding the aperture to prevent the optical device from impinging on the lens of the camera, or dropping into the camera when the lens is removed and for preventing stray light from entering the camera.

I claim: 
     
       1. An adapter ring to facilitate mounting of a single lens reflex camera on an outer tubular periphery of an eyepiece of an associated optical device such as a telescope or microscope so that the optical axes thereof coincide, comprising: (a) a toroidal monolithic body having inner and outer peripheries symmetrical about a central axis and having first and second faces connecting said inner and outer peripheries;   (b) a set of at least two coaxially arranged coextensive threaded sections formed on said toroidal body and associated with said second face;   (c) at least one threaded section coaxially formed on said toroidal body and associated with said first face;   (d) a centrally apertured plate perpendicular to the central axis and integral with said toroidal body intermediate said first and second faces and defining first and second recesses associated, respectively, with said first and second faces on opposite sides of said centrally aperture plate; and   (e) means mounted on said toroidal body and adjustable to engage the outer tubular periphery of the eyepiece of the associated optical device inserted coaxially into said first recess.   
     
     
       2. The adapter ring according to claim 1, in which a set of two coaxially arranged threaded sections are formed on said toroidal body associated with said first face. 
     
     
       3. The adapter ring according to claim 1, in which one of said two coaxially arranged coextensive threaded sections associated with said second face is coaxially aligned with said at least one threaded section associated with said first face. 
     
     
       4. The adapter ring according to claim 1, in which one of said two coaxially arranged coextensive threaded sections associated with said second face is formed on the inner periphery of said second recess. 
     
     
       5. The adapter ring according to claim 1, in which said at least one threaded section associated with said first face is formed on the outer periphery of said toroidal body. 
     
     
       6. The adapter ring according to claim 1, in which one of said two coaxially arranged coextensive threaded sections associated with said second face is formed on said outer periphery in axially spaced coaxial alignment with said at least one threaded section associated with said first face and formed on said outer periphery of said toroidal body. 
     
     
       7. The adapter ring according to claim 1, in which said at least one threaded section coaxially formed on said toroidal body and associated with said first face is formed on the inner periphery of said first recess. 
     
     
       8. The adapter ring according to claim 1, in which said means mounted on said toroidal body and adjustable to engage the eyepiece of an associated optical device includes a plurality of radially extending circumferentially spaced mounting screws adjustable to selectively penetrate said recess associated with said first face. 
     
     
       9. The adapter ring according to claim 1, in which said means mounted on said toroidal body and adjustable to engage the eyepiece of an associated optical device includes a resiliently deformable band mounted in said first recess. 
     
     
       10. The adapter ring according to claim 8, in which said means mounted on said toroidal body and adjustable to engage the eyepiece of an associated optical device includes a resiliently deformable band mounted in said first recess whereby when said mounting screws are selectively adjusted to penetrate said first recess said resiliently deformable band is deformed to engage and retain an eyepiece inserted into said first recess. 
     
     
       11. In combination with an optical device having a tubular cylindrical eyepiece and a camera having coincident optical axes; (a) an adapter ring fixedly joining said camera and said optical device and including a toroidal monolithic body having inner and outer peripheries symmetrical about a central axis and joined by first and second faces;   (b) means on said toroidal body associated with said first face selectively adjustable to impose a radially directed force for fixedly engaging the tubular cylindrical eyepiece of said optical device; and   (c) means on said toroidal body associated with said second face fixedly engaging said camera.   
     
     
       12. The combination according to claim 11, in which said means for fixedly engaging said optical device includes a plurality of radially extending circumferentially spaced mounting screws selectively adjustable on said toroidal body to penetrate past said inner periphery and engage said tubular cylindrical eyepiece. 
     
     
       13. The combination according to claim 11, in which said means for fixedly engaging said optical device includes a resiliently deformable band normally conforming to the inner periphery of said toroidal body and selectively resiliently deformable radially inwardly to engage the optical device at circumferentially spaced intervals. 
     
     
       14. The combination according to claim 11, in which said means on said toroidal body for fixedly engaging said camera includes a threaded section formed on the outer periphery of said toroidal body adjacent said second face. 
     
     
       15. The combination according to claim 11, in which said toroidal body is provided with a centrally apertured plate perpendicular to the central axis of said toroidal body and having an outer periphery integral with the inner periphery of said toroidal body intermediate said first and second faces and defining first and second recesses associated, respectively, with said first and second faces, and said optical device extends into said first recess and the optical axis of said optical device and the central axis of said apertured plate coincide. 
     
     
       16. The combination according to claim 11, in which said toroidal body is provided with a centrally apertured plate perpendicular to the central axis of said toroidal body and having an outer periphery integral with the inner periphery of said toroidal body intermediate said first and second faces and defining first and second recesses associated, respectively, with said first and second faces on opposite sides of said centrally apertured plate; said means on said toroidal body associated with said second face for fixedly engaging said camera includes a threaded section formed on the outer periphery of said toroidal body adjacent said second face; and said means on said toroidal body associated with said first face for fixedly engaging said optical device includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending mounting screws selectively adjustable into or out of said first recess in a direction parallel to said centrally apertured plate and perpendicular to said central axis whereby said optical device is clamped therebetween and held in coaxial alignment with the optical axis of the camera. 
     
     
       17. The combination according to claim 14, in which said means on said toroidal body for fixedly engaging said camera includes a coupling ring threadably engaging said threaded section formed on the outer periphery of said toroidal body adjacent said second face, and a T-ring threadably engaging said coupling ring and having bayonet connection means detachably engaging said camera. 
     
     
       18. The combination according to claim 16 in which said means on said toroidal body associated with said first face for fixedly engaging said optical device includes a resiliently deformable band normally conforming to the inner periphery of said first recess and selectively resiliently deformable radially inwardly at circumferentially spaced intervals to engage said optical device when said mounting screws are adjusted to engage and deform said resiliently deformable band to thereby retain the optical device and camera so that their respective optical axes coincide. 
     
     
       19. The combination according to claim 18, in which said optical device abuts said centrally apertured plate concentrically about the aperture therein, said resiliently deformable band prevents lateral and axial displacement of said optical device, and said centrally apertured plate enables light to pass between said optical device and said camera through the central aperture thereof but prevents stray light from entering the camera.